Kobe Bryant is being lauded for sticking up for his embattled head coach, and he did say some nice things about Byron Scott on the surface.
But it's what Bryant didn't say about Scott that provides another reason that the Los Angeles Lakers should look for a new head coach after the season.
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The Lakers have the worst record in the Western Conference and could finish with the worst record in franchise history, outdoing last season's 21-61 performance. Vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss said before the season he thought the team had turned the corner, and general manager Mitch Kupchak --- at least before the season --- said he thought Los Angeles had the potential to become a playoff team.
Scott, in his third year with the team, has taken a lot of the criticism for not having better communication with young players D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Bryant recently told ESPN that Scott has been placed in a dubious position.
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"It's been very tough for him. It's been very tough," Bryant said. "I think he's managing it very well. He's remaining consistent and continuing to try to bring the best out of these young guys and demanding the best from them. He's doing the best that he can in the situation."
Notice, however, that Bryant didn't say, "there's no one that could be doing a better job than Scott under the circumstances."
That's a very different comment.
Bryant also tried to deflect a question about the criticism of Scott by bringing former Lakers coach Phil Jackson into the conversation.
"I've seen Phil win 67 games here and get criticized. What does that tell you? Doesn't make any difference. People are always going to criticize. You just continue to do the job the best way you know how."
Which is another way of saying nothing. Of course, Scott is going to do the job the best way he knows how. Does that make it the best way?
That, Bryant didn't talk about.
Scott was Bryant's mentor when the Black Mamba entered the league, so Kobe's not going to throw Lord Byron under the buss.
But Bryant also is media savvy enough to know that his comments about Scott sounded good, but they didn't make any kind of endorsement for the head coach.
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